The 20 Most Influential Billionaires Behind The Scenes Of US Politics

Fictional characters like billionaire Raymond Tusk from "House of Cards" are real.
Netflix
Politics and business have always had a sticky relationship.

The Brookings Institute released a ranking of U.S. billionaires according to their political influence.

The billionaires' influences are measured by the "use of great wealth for campaign expenditures, activism through non-profit organizations and foundation, holding public office, media ownership, policy thought leadership, and behind the scenes influence."

20. Alice Walton

Alice Walton, one of the Wal-Mart fortune heirs, is an early backer of Hillary Clinton's "Ready for Hillary" super PAC.

Source: Brookings Institute

2/

19. Donald Trump

REUTERS/Mike Cassese

Multimedia master Donald Trump routinely comments on numerous political issues and has succeeded in amassing a large following of conservatives.

Source: Brookings Institute

Advertisement

3/

18. Marc Andreessen

REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Marc Andreessen backed GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012. He's interested in the future of journalism — and in particular, the swift transition from traditional media to digital.

Source: Brookings Institute

4/

17. Peter G. Peterson

Peterson argues for the reduction of government debt and with his foundation has funded organizations such as Fix the Debt and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Source: Brookings Institute

Advertisement

5/

16. Paul Singer

REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Paul Singer — a conservative Republican — has been a supporter of same-sex marriage and has a political action committee called American Unity that contributed $2 million in support of GOP legislators who also are in support of same-sex marriage.

4. Sheldon Adelson

3. Tom Steyer

Steyer is interested in climate change and works extensively to raise public awareness.

Source: Brookings Institute

Advertisement

19/

2. Michael Bloomberg

AP

Bloomberg is donating $50 million against the NRA with his super PAC Independence USA. He also has the nonprofit organizations Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Partnership for a New American Economy.

Source: Brookings Institute

20/

1. Charles and David Koch

The Koch brothers have contributed $30 million in "campaign ads targeting vulnerable Senate Democrats in a number of states" and that number "is expected to rise to $290 million by Election Day." Plus, they are running ads against Obama's health care act.